Chapter 1: Humiliation

Hailey Queen

"Babe it's not what it looks like, I didn't hit her, I swear,” My voice trembled as my heart pounded so violently that I felt it in my throat.

"How dare you? I'm done with your pathetic attitude Hailey.” Brighton…My boyfriend said.

Just when I thought he would stand by my side and pick me up, he walked towards Madison and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her impossibly close, she giggled like they're sworn lovers.

I blink tears away as I glared at my sobbing step-sister. What a pretentious bitch.

I glanced at his half buttoned shirt, and my heart cracked into a thousand pieces. "You got Madison's name tattooed on your chest?"

"Oh this? It's my way of showing her I love her and not you. Madison may be your sister but she's my soulmate," Brighton spat, grinning like a man who just won a trophy.

Tears streamed down my face, how could I be strong?

I stepped forward, trembling. “Brighton… please, don’t do this…”

He laughed, a low, suffocating sound. “Don’t do what? Hailey, you hit Madison, didn’t you? You’ve always been jealous of her. You are jealous of the bond we have. Why else would you even think of touching her?”

My hands flew to my chest. “I… I didn’t do such a thing, she is lying—”

But he cut me off with a sharp push that sent me stumbling backwards.

“Don’t lie to me! She has told me already, Madison never lies, you little desperate fool. Always trying to ruin things for everyone!”

I caught a glance at Madison at the corner of my eye, she had a grin on her face. She must have enjoyed this.

He grabbed my arm with an iron grip, yanking me toward him. “Answer me....why did you hit her, huh? Tell me!”

“I told you, I didn't!” I blink away a few tears.

Tears stung my eyes as I shook my head, but my words nearly died in my throat.

“I thought you loved me,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “You invited me here, I'm your girlfriend. You are not even believing I'm innocent!”

SLAP!!

Brighton slapped me across the face so hard my cheek burnt, leaving a sting that ran down my jaw. “Loved you? Hahaha! You think I would actually love someone like you?” He shoved me again, this time forcing me to land roughly against the wall. The crowd around us erupted in laughter and jeers.

He leaned in, his face twisted with mockery. “You’re pathetic, Hailey. Always jealous, always desperate. I only dated you because you were convenient, because i thought you're a good person till you showed your true colours .”

He took a wine glass and poured it on my head, making my hair wet immediately.

“You never wanted to accept it Hailey, you knew he only came to visit because of me.” Madison folded her arms and scoffed.

I felt my knees weaken, but he didn't give me a moment to catch my breath. He shoved me again, harder this time, making me hit the floor. I heard the thud of my back against the tile. My glasses slip down my nose, and my tears blur everything around me.

Brighton turned towards Madison with a triumphant grin, then back at me. “And look at you—still fake crying, You are a very good actor. Pathetic little virgin.”

“Madison, tell him the truth, tell him I didn't hit you,” I sobbed, wiping the tears off my cheeks.

But she just scoffed, dismissing me like I'm purely nothing.

I choked on a sob as he knelt slightly to spit mockingly in my direction, then smirked.

“And if you ever dare tell anyone we are dating… I’ll make sure I break more than just your fingers.” He warned.

He grabbed a bucket of red liquid from one of the party tables and splashed it over me. It dripped down my hair and clothes, sticking like glue. I cough, sputtering, the laughter of the crowd ringing in my ears.

“You think anyone will care about you?” he scoffed. “No one cares about you! Everyone’s laughing at you, Hailey. Pathetic little Hailey Queen.”

Madison stepped closer, smirking, and whispered cruelly, “I heard she moans your name in her sleep.”

She took out my diary from my bag and threw it at Brighton, “see... she is a stalker and a creep!”

“Bring that back, it's private!” I tried reaching for the diary but Brighton pushed me away, making other students snicker.

“What the fuck? I knew you were a weirdo,” He scoffed as he ripped my diary in pieces.

Brighton pushed me again, making me fall backward on my hands and knees. I was trembling, humiliated, and alone. The party continued around me as if I don’t exist, the lights glaring, the music booming, everyone cheering for my misery.

"Brighton… I thought you loved me… that you believed in us," I sob, my voice cracking as hot tears stream down my face.

He laughed, a sound like knives scraping metal. “Loved you? Hahaha—me? You’re nothing to me. Never were. And tonight, everyone knows the truth…. everyone sees it! You literally just hurt Madison because of your stupid obsession with me.”

“But–” I tried to speak, but I could only cough out blood.

I try to stand, but he shoved me so hard I hit the floor again, everyone laughed again. My head spins, my back ached, and my heart felt like it’s being torn apart.

Then… a deep manly voice I’ve never heard before.

"Hey, leave her alone!"